How We Give Full-Tuition Scholarships

At Berea College, we believe that talented students should not miss out on a high-quality education just because they cannot afford rising tuition costs. No Berea student is charged a dime of tuition for a bachelor’s degree. How do we do it?

Unlike other colleges where tuition supplies most of the funding, Berea depends on endowment income for 73% of its yearly budget. Our strong endowment acts as a tuition replacement fund.

Another 17% of annual income comes from federal and state funding and miscellaneous income, while the final 10% of each year’s income comes from loyal alumni and friends through the Berea Fund.

This model allows us to offer our students a low-cost or no-cost education year after year, but it also means that Berea doesn’t have the luxury of raising tuition when times get tough. Instead, we make thoughtful decisions about the most efficient way to operate the College every year. This ensures that our students have access to the opportunities they deserve.